Framingham pastor charged with beating girlfriend

Tuesday

Feb 11, 2014 at 6:45 AMFeb 11, 2014 at 3:06 PM

Danielle Ameden Daily News Staff @damedenMW

FRAMINGHAM - A Framingham pastor was arrested Saturday after his girlfriend called 911 from inside his downtown church, saying he was trying to kill her, authorities said.Timothy P. Jones, 55, who leads the New Bethel Baptist Church on Beech Street, was arrested nearby after midnight on domestic assault and battery and several other charges.Police said the incident started when the couple started arguing hours before at Jones' apartment on Irving Street and she left to go to the church, where she was staying.In Framingham District Court Monday, Assistant District Attorney Nate Burris described how Jones later went to the church, they argued and he hit her with a fist and open hand.The woman ran into a bathroom at the church, used a chair to barricade herself inside and called 911 but Jones forced his way inside and wouldn't let her leave, Burris said.Officers found the woman bleeding and with bruises on her face and shoulder, he said.Police charged Jones with domestic assault and battery, disturbing the peace, resisting arrest, kidnapping, witness intimidation and larceny from a person.The victim's 5-year-old son was in the church at the time of the assault, according to a police report filed in Framingham District Court.The woman told police she feared for her life and thought Jones would kill her.Judge Douglas Stoddart set a number of conditions for Jones' release on bail, including that he remain under house arrest except for windows of time to go to work.Jones must also stay away from the victim, and not drink alcohol.He is due back in Framingham District Court on March 27 for a pretrial conference.Danielle Ameden can be reached at 508-626-4416 or dameden@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @damedenMW.